Historic Pools at Camp Kum-Ba-Yah Nature Center

More Than a Pool: The Historic Waters of Camp Kum-Ba-Yah Nature Center 🌲

For generations of campers, the swimming pools at Camp Kum-Ba-Yah Nature Center have meant laughter, relief from the summer heat, and some of the best memories of camp. Yet these pools are more than a place to swim: they are living witnesses to a defining moment in Lynchburg’s Civil Rights history and to Camp Kum-Ba-Yah’s enduring commitment to inclusion.

The first pools opened in 1961 to support the growing summer day camp program established by Lynchburg Christian Fellowship under the leadership of Rev. Beverly Roy “Bev” Cosby. From the very beginning, the camp was founded on a radical and simple belief for its time: all children deserved a place to play, explore nature, and feel a sense of belonging .

That belief was tested in that summer.

At the time, Lynchburg, like much of the South, was deeply segregated. When African American families sought access to public swimming pools, city leaders chose to close all municipal pools rather than integrate them. In response, Bev Cosby made a courageous and controversial decision: he opened Camp Kum-Ba-Yah’s pools to the entire community, welcoming Black and white children to swim together at a moment when such an act was considered unthinkable by many .

The consequences were immediate. Some white families withdrew their children from camp. Angry phone calls followed. Campers, both Black and white, were jeered and criticized simply for sharing the water together. Yet the pools remained open. During that summer, Camp Kum-Ba-Yah became the site of Lynchburg’s first racially integrated public swimming, offering a safe and joyful refuge at a time when public spaces across the city were closing their doors .

This moment was not an isolated act of defiance, but part of a broader legacy of justice rooted in the camp’s founding values. Just months later, in 1962, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. would visit the Camp Kum-Ba-Yah grounds, meeting with local leaders at the Lodge of the Fishermen, one of the only places in Lynchburg where people of different races could gather together safely. The pools, like the Lodge and the camp itself, stood as quiet but powerful symbols of what community could look like when fear gave way to courage.

Today, campers splash, swim, and cool off in those same pools. Every visit carries forward a legacy of bravery, welcome, and moral clarity. These waters remind us that Camp Kum-Ba-Yah Nature Center has always been about more than recreation. It has been about creating spaces where children are free to be children and where the values of dignity, justice, and community are lived out in real and tangible ways.

As we approach our 75th year of summer camp in 2026, we honor the history held in these pools and recommit ourselves to the vision that shaped them: a camp, a community, and a future where all children are welcome.

75 Years of Camp!

Celebrating 75 Years of Summer Camp at Camp Kum-Ba-Yah Nature Center 🌲

In 2026, Camp Kum-Ba-Yah Nature Center will celebrate a remarkable milestone: our 75th year of summer camp. Because there was no camp season in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the summer of 2026 represents the 75th summer of camp since our beginnings: an enduring tradition rooted in community, inclusion, and a deep love for children and the outdoors.

Our story began in 1950, when the late Rev. Beverly Roy “Bev” Cosby and his family helped found Lynchburg Christian Fellowship, guided by a simple but powerful question: “Where will our children play?” That question led to the creation of an outdoor day camp on family land: an idea that would grow into something far bigger than anyone could have imagined.

As the organization evolved, so did its name, reflecting a widening circle of welcome. Lynchburg Christian Fellowship later became Lynchburg Covenant Fellowship, signaling a commitment to greater inclusivity. Over time, the camp itself became widely known as Camp Kum-Ba-Yah, a place where children from all walks of life could gather to play, learn, and belong. In recent years, as year-round environmental education and community programming expanded, the organization became Camp Kum-Ba-Yah Nature Center, honoring both its camp roots and its broader mission today.

Throughout these changes, one thing has remained constant: a belief that every child deserves access to nature, joyful experiences, and a community where they are valued. From its early role in social justice and integrated recreation to its present-day programs serving families, schools, and campers across our region, Camp Kum-Ba-Yah has always been about more than summer fun; it has been about shaping lives and strengthening our community .

As we look ahead to this historic 75th year of camp, we do so with gratitude for all who have made this journey possible and with excitement for what lies ahead. We are proud to carry forward this lasting tradition: serving children from every corner of our community and helping them discover joy, confidence, and connection in the natural world.